May is National Celiac Awareness Month

May is National Celiac Awareness Month, a time to build awareness of Celiac Disease and gluten sensitivities. According to the Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. It is triggered by the consumption of gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye. The latest research estimates that as many as one in 141 Americans, or about 1% of the population, are affected. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is a gluten-free diet. Look for our shelf tag to help you identify which items are Gluten-Free in your Foodtown store.

• Learn which foods contain gluten – Gluten is a protein found in all forms of wheat, barley and rye, which means that most forms of bread, pasta and other baked goods are off limits. You will also need to learn which grains are unsafe.
• Read food labels – It is important to always read the labels of prepared, canned, and packaged foods to be sure that no gluten has been added to them.
• Fill your diet with naturally gluten-free foods – Plain meat, poultry, fish, fruit, vegetables, beans, legumes, rice, potatoes, corn, quinoa, nuts and most dairy products are all naturally gluten-free.
• Learn how to make your favorite recipes, gluten-free – There are hundreds of cookbooks available that offer tasty gluten-free recipes. Go to your local bookstore to browse through the cookbook section.

Celiac Disease can occur at any time in a person’s life. There are more than 300 symptoms that can vary from person to person. One person may have abdominal pains, while another has headaches and fatigue. Some may not show any symptoms at all. Since Celiac Disease is so difficult to detect, you should consult your healthcare provider for diagnosis.

Source: National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, www.celiaccentral.org/